Sometimes safety is about using the right materials rather than less desirable choices. When it comes to using wood to help flavor the food, make sure that you choose the right one. There are many types of woods available for grilling or smoking food.  Here are some tips regarding your wood choices. Softwoods burn quickly and many times the flavor that the smoke adds to the food is undesirable....

A story was reported on NBC news a few years ago.  Julie was grilling hot dogs.  She looked outside and "saw 5-foot flames spewing from her family’s gas grill."  Her friend emptied their kitchen fire extinguisher on the fire, but it didn't stop.  She called 911 who advised her to wait until the flames died down and then shut off the propane.  Once the fire was out, she saw that the knobs and the...

There is one time when you do not want your party to be a "blast" -- when you are cooking on the grill.  In Part 1, we provided 5 general tips for grilling safety.  Here are some tips to stay safe when using a charcoal grill. Prepping the Grill Check for rust damage in metal grills. Charcoal can fall through holes and cause a fire. The location of the grill and the items around it matter. Do not...

Whether it’s in the backyard, tailgating or elsewhere, grilling seems to be one of life’s simple pleasures.  Unfortunately, there are potential safety issues as well. An average of 8,900 home fires each year are caused by grilling, 80% of them happening with a gas grill.  Here are tips to help you when protect yourself, your family and your home. Do not leave the grill unattended. Choose a safe...